Green Marked routes are from the only downtown Greenway in the world, the Indianapolis Cultural Trail. And nowhere have we found a more bikeable downtown than the one here in Indianapolis. Not even close. And all of this is due to the fact that this history laden city has the only functional network of central business district bike paths on the planet.<\/p>\n
From it, a plethora of Greenway trails and other cycling opportunities branch out from its 8-mile (soon to the 10-mile) core. It has become a breeding ground for cyclists young and old and has reenergized a once dying business district with a new explosion of energy. This as it has brought new life to the entirety of what used to be a tired Rust Belt city. It has caused a building boom on what were vacant lots on the downtown trail and hugely increased the value of all the property along it.<\/p>\n
On specially groomed sidewalks, as business is being done several yards away, the way the curbs are cut and the lights are timed, as a cyclist, you feel you are wanted here. Or, as Ray Irvin says, \u201cthe ICT is a showcase of how the businesses of the future will all operate \u2013 car visits will not be encouraged, but human powered ones will.\u201d As the genuine prophet that Ray is, he says that to be successful in the imminent future, your storefront will have to be on a people powered throughway \u2013 it will have to be bike friendly.<\/p>\n
On the ICT, the smooth surface of a handsome, red brick has replaced the concrete sidewalks that pass ten or so feet away from the front doors of a myriad of eateries, hotels, drinking establishments, coffee and thrift shops and fitness facilities. Along it one can also find a bike shop, and hardware and grocery stores.<\/p>\n
Add beautiful landscaping and tastefully designed interpretive signage that call out everything from Civil War battles to historical events that took place at the locations they herald and you will feel drawn into a keen awareness of your surroundings as time slows down. You will also sense what we would like to see become a nationwide reality.<\/p>\n
In going forward with our plan to plant the seed for Cultural Trails, we need to firmly establish Indianapolis as the Top Biking City in America. We need cyclists from all over the country to want to come here to prove this for themselves. Whereupon, as they go back to their communities seeking to follow the example we have set, this will help us lay the foundation for replicating Cultural Trails in all 19 of our other NBG Anchor Cities.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"